Navjot Singh Sidhu Joins Congress; To Contest Assembly Election From Amritsar East

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday finally joined the Congress after a meeting with its vice-president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. Sidhu's wife had earlier joined the Congress.

Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala said the party "welcomes Sidhu and thanks Gandhi for bringing like-minded leaders under the Congress umbrella". Former Punjab Chief Minister and state party chief Captain Amarinder Singh congratulated Sidhu, saying his induction would strengthen the party in Punjab.

Sidhu, who was with the Bharatiya Janata Party until recently, is expected to contest the 4 February Punjab assembly election from Amritsar East. Sidhu had earlier toyed with the idea of joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) along with his wife.

The Punjab election is expected to be a three-way contest involving the ruling Akali Dal-BJP coalition, the main opposition Congress party and the AAP, a new entrant.

With Inputs From IANS.